Vegetable prices increase

The National Consumer Front (NCF) today claimed that the retail selling price of a kilogramme of vegetables has recorded a higher value.

Chicken retail prices increased

The retail price of a kilogram of chicken has been recorded at a higher price at Economic Centres today.

Taylor Swift’s music back on TikTok after dispute

Taylor Swift’s songs are back on TikTok following a dispute that led her label to stop licensing its content to the app.

Vietnamese billionaire sentenced to death for $44bn fraud

Behind the stately yellow portico of the colonial-era courthouse in Ho Chi Minh City, a 67-year-old Vietnamese property developer was sentenced to death on Thursday for looting one of the country’s largest banks over a period of 11 years.

Indigo launches Mumbai-Colombo direct flights today

Indigo has expanded its connectivity to Sri Lanka adding Mumbai-Colombo direct flights from today (12), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Limited said.

NTC has failed to assign buses for people to leave Colombo: Anjana

The Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) today claimed that the National Transport Commission (NTC) has failed to provide sufficient buses for people to leave from Colombo.

Beauty of nature...

Rare bird species and wild animals at the Horton Plains National Park in the summer season. Many local and foreign visitors frequent the National Park to witness its natural beauty. Located at an elevation of 2,100–2,300 m and encompassing mountain grasslands and forest, Horton Plains is rich in biodiversity and many of the species found here are endemic to the region. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Will import eggs from India again if local prices increase: Minister

The government will import eggs from India again if the local egg prices increase again, Trade Minister Nalin Fernando said.

Malagamuwa secures 2nd place in European GT-4 Championship

Sri Lankan motor racing sensation Dilantha Malagamuwa returns home triumphant after clinching the second place at the European GT-4 Car Racing Championship held at the Paul Ricard track in France.

Three businessmen nabbed with illegally imported goods at BIA

Three businessmen who attempted to smuggle a stock of goods worth more than Rs. 200 million into the country were arrested this evening by a group of investigation officers attached to the Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Remainig Aswesuma payments will be made on Monday

The remaining ’Aswesuma’ welfare benefit payments (Rs. 2,500) of the Rs. 5 billion to 182,000 families will be paid on Monday (15) and will be completed by next Wednesday (17), Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

STF arrests three suspects with weapons in Maradana

In a coordinated operation with Operation ’Yukthiya’, the STF arrested three individuals in Maradana with a cache of weapons, including a T-56 firearm and a magazine containing 14 rounds of live ammunition.

Sri Lankans rescued from cyber slave camp in Myanmar transferred to Embassy

Eight Sri Lankans who were recently rescued from an illegal cyber slave camp in Myanmar, have been transferred to the care of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand.

Suspicious death of 23-year-old woman at hotel sparks concerns

A 23-year-old woman was discovered dead under suspicious circumstances at a hotel in Avissawella, Police said.

Sufficient rice, vegetables, eggs, chicken, fruits supplied to market for festive season

Locally produced rice, vegetables, eggs, chicken and fruits needed for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations have been supplied to the market without any shortages, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Be careful when travelling on long-distance buses, warn Police

The Police Department today announced that the public should be vigilant over a gang that robs valuable belongings of long-distance passengers.

Sri Lanka shows signs of recovery but must maintain reform momentum: ADB

The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) annual flagship economic publication, the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024, forecasts Sri Lanka’s economy to record moderate growth of 1.9% in 2024 and 2.5% in 2025 following 2 consecutive years of contractions.

Japan grants aid to strengthen operations at BIA

The Japanese government has granted a stock of high-tech scanners, valued at 8.4 million US dollars, to the Katunayake International Airport and the Colombo Port.

RW can successfully implement reforms though own mandate: Prelate

The Chief Prelate (Mahanayake) of the Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Siyam Maha Nikaya, Ven. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Anu Nayake Maha Thera said incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe can implement reforms successfully if he receives a mandate of his own at a future presidential election.

Fuel distributors warns of trade union action after April 20

Despite the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) implementation a VAT on discounts for Petroleum Dealers, Vice President Kusum Sandanayaka of the Sri Lanka Petroleum Private TankOwners’ Association stated they’ll ensure uninterrupted fuel distribution until April 20.

UNP Deputy meets Chief Prelate...

UNP Deputy Leader and Senior Presidential Advisor Ruwan Wijewardene met the Chief Prelate (Mahanayake) of the Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of the Siyam Maha Nikaya, Ven. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Anu Nayake Maha Thera today. They discussed the current political situation and the status of the economy. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

The testicles of a young man had been removed yesterday at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital allegedly as a result of a police assault. He is under treatment at present after the surgery on Tuesday (9).

SLPP MPs barred from going public on their support for presidential candidates

In the wake of SLPP (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) MPS airing contrasting views over the upcoming elections, the party hierarchy has barred all MPS from making comments on their support to any presidential candidate until a formal decision is taken, a party official said yesterday.

Xi calls for fair, transparent environment for investment in Sri Lanka

Chinese President Xi Jinping , in his recent meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, has reportedly stressed the need for ‘fair and transparent’ environment for Chinese companies to invest in Sri Lanka.

Blooming season starts...

This is the season when Robarosiya flowers are in full bloom. The picture shows several areas glowing with Robarosiya flowers. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Excise to launch special operation in Colombo City during Avurudu dry days

The Department of Excise is planning to launch a special operation in Colombo during the two festive dry days targeting illegal booze sellers and to implement law strictly during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year period.

State Minister alleged to have abused and threatened the HR and Admin Assistant of Lanka Phosphate Company

State Minister of Primary Industries Chamara Sampath Dassanayake is alleged to have severely abused and threatened the Human Resources and Administration Assistant of the Lanka Phosphate Company Mrs. H.D.V.K. Chandraratne in the presence of officials of the ministry and the company.

Kavinda tells CID to repatriate Maithripala and hold investigations

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kavinda Jayawardene today lodged a complaint with the CID that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s departure to Thailand was suspicious.

Tourist arrivals cross 50,000 mark in first 9 days of April

Extending the growth momentum, the international tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka crossed the 50,000 mark during the first nine days of April.

SJB trying to divert attention from original debate: NPP

Claiming that NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake first invited SJB leader Sajith Premadasa for a debate, the National People’s Power (NPP) said some members of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya were now attempting to divert the attention from the original debate.